Dental Hygiene Program at North Central Michigan College
Your next step starts here.
Interested in a career in dental hygiene? Attend our September 3 information session to learn about North Central's planned Associate of Applied Science degree, including:
- Program admission requirements
- Pre-program required coursework
- Program application process
- The accreditation timeline and the program's planned Fall 2028 launch
- Career opportunities
- Q&A with program staff
IMPORTANT NOTE: North Central Michigan College's planned Dental Hygiene program is currently awaiting accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has not yet been granted initial accreditation. The college cannot accept applications into the planned Dental Hygiene program until initial accreditation is granted.
Build a career in oral health with hands-on training and a clear pathway to licensure. The Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science (AAS) prepares you to support patients through preventive care, clinical services, and education — skills that translate into a respected profession with strong earning potential.
Dental Hygiene — Associate of Applied Science:
North Central’s Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and the ADEX clinical examination.
Program Structure:
North Central’s Dental Hygiene AAS program is completed over three years and includes two phases:
- Year 1: Complete Preprogram Requirements
In your first year, you’ll take general education and foundational science courses, along with two introductory dental hygiene courses. These courses prepare you to apply for admission into the clinical phase of the program. - Years 2—3: Professional Dental Hygiene Training
Upon acceptance into the program, you will complete the final two years of advanced dental hygiene coursework and hands-on clinical experience. This includes training in:
- Patient care and preventive treatment
- Radiography and oral imaging
- Periodontics and oral pathology
- Community dental health
- Clinical practice across multiple semesters
Dental Hygiene Program Information
The three-year, cohort-style program will accept 15 students per cohort, with one cohort starting each fall. The program runs full time and includes five consecutive semesters of dental hygiene coursework following two semesters of pre-program requirements.
NOTE: North Central's dental hygiene program includes a competitive application process. Simply meeting the minimum requirements and applying to the program does not guarantee admission.
SEE THE DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENT HANDBOOK.
Questions? I can help!
Rico Breznau
Dental Hygiene Program Director
rbreznau@ncmich.edu
231-348-6748
Pre-Program Required Courses
- CEM 101 Fundamentals in Chemicals
- DHY 102 Dental Ethics, Law, and Safety
- ENG 111 English Composition
- COM 170 Interpersonal Communication
- PSY 161 Introduction to Psychology
- BIO 235 General Anatomy and Physiology I
- DHY 103 Dental Anatomy
- SOC 171 Introduction to Sociology
- HE 200 Nutrition
- BIO 226 Microbiology
- BIO 236 General Anatomy and Physiology II
How to Apply
To be considered for admission to the North Central's dental hygiene program, complete the following steps:
1. Meet with an academic advisor.
Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss the dental hygiene program, develop your academic plan, and designate Dental Hygiene as your intended field of study.
2. Complete your pre-program required coursework.
Work with your advisor to complete all required pre-program courses before applying to the program.
3. Take the HESI A2 Admission Assessment.
All applicants must complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Test as part of the application process.
4. Complete your required observation hours.
Submit documentation of at least 10 hours of observation with a practicing dental hygienist.
- Observation hours may be completed independently or as part of DHY 102.
- If you complete your observation hours before enrolling in DHY 102, additional observation hours may still be required as part of the course.
5. Submit your application.
North Central's Dental Hygiene program is currently awaiting accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and cannot yet accept applications to the planned program. Pending receipt of initial CODA accreditation, the anticipated application period for the first cohort is expected to close on April 15, 2028.
Selection of the first cohort will not occur until all of the following requirements have been met:
- Initial CODA accreditation has been granted;
- Applicants have completed all required pre-program required courses and final grades have been posted; AND
- Applicants have completed the HESI A2 entrance examination.
Application Review and Notification
Applications are reviewed in May, and admission decisions are mailed by June 1.
Program Requirements & Suggested Course Sequences
Take the next step today!
Questions about which program will help you meet your career goals? Make an appointment with a North Central advisor to get started today! Call 231-348-6605.
Let's get started!